​The 35-year-old is studying at Oxford University, in the city where she grew up, having opted to study a Master’s degree in creative writing in September 2023. It was announced last year that Ms Watson had switched to a DPhil, and she previously had studied at two local schools, the Dragon School and Headington School. The actress is well known for her iconic role as Hermione Granger in all eight of the Harry Potter films, released from 2001 to 2011. Emma Watson and JK Rowling. (Image: Ian West / PA) Now, Ms Watson has been shortlisted for the 2026 British Diversity Awards, with an announcement made today (Wednesday, January 14). In its fifth year, the awards will return to the JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London on Wednesday, March 25 2026. The 35-year-old has been nominated for Media Personality of the Year, which recognises cultural figures who use their platforms to drive meaningful social change. Sir Lenny Henry, Sir Elton John, David Furnish, Cat Burns, Sam Thompson, Dr Alex George, Vicky McClure MBE, Chris McCausland, and others have all been shortlisted for the gong. This comes after Harry Potter author JK Rowling accused Ms Watson of being “ignorant” last September amid their ongoing row over transgender views. JK Rowling. (Image: PA) Ms Watson and her co-stars Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint have publicly backed transgender rights in the past few years, distancing themselves from Ms Rowling, who has criticised the actors in response. The 60-year-old writer has previously been accused of transphobia for her views on gender identity, which she denies. In a lengthy post on X, Ms Rowling said: “Like other people who’ve never experienced adult life uncushioned by wealth and fame, Emma has so little experience of real life she’s ignorant of how ignorant she is. “I’d be astounded if she’s been in a high street changing room since childhood. “Her ‘public bathroom’ is single occupancy and comes with a security man standing guard outside the door.” The multimillionaire author said that “I lived in poverty while writing the book that made Emma famous” and therefore “understand from my own life experience what the trashing of women’s rights in which Emma has so enthusiastically participated means to women and girls without her privileges”. Ms Rowling made her latest comments in response to Ms Watson discussing their relationship on Jay Shetty’s mental health podcast. The actress said: “I think it’s my deepest wish that I hope people who don’t agree with my opinion will love me, and I hope I can keep loving people whom I don’t necessarily share the same opinion with.”